Lost Wax Casting

Metals Used In Lost Wax Casting

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel consists of alloys such as nickel and chromium, which determine the mechanical and grain properties of the casting. The combination of the alloys affects the endurance of heat and resistance to corrosion by the casting. However, stainless steel has a percentage of chromium, making it resistant to oxidation and corrosive conditions.

Steel

Steel is used for lost wax casting because it is available in various grades, is economical, and can be heat treated to adjust its ductility. Its application can be found in the medical, aerospace, agricultural, and firearm sectors.

Ductile Iron

Ductile iron castings have excellent corrosion resistance, surface hardness, strength-to-weight ratio, and elasticity modulus. Its main advantage is that it has multiple designs and is cost-effective.

Beryllium Copper

Beryllium copper makes castings that can be easily machined and have great ductility. After heat treatment, beryllium copper has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.

Aluminum

Aluminum is considered an ideal metal for lost wax casting because of its resistance to corrosion and machinability. When aluminum is alloyed and heat treated with other metals, it develops excellent strength, like that of low carbon steel. Aluminum alloys have a fluid nature that caters to parts with thin walls.

Cobalt

Cobalt has a lustrous and hard finish that protects it and makes it resistant to oxidation. Cobalt is not affected by oxidation due to a passivating film that covers it. Since cobalt is found combined within nature, the smelting process is used to separate it from alloys. Cobalt is ideal for the process of lost wax casting because it is worn, corrosion, and heat resistant. It is used to make parts for the automotive industry, aerospace, and military use.

Brass

Brass's main defining properties are its polishing and finishing qualities. Yellow or red brass is used for lost wax casting for application and in door hardware and plumbing fixtures.

Bronze

The added elements of bronze enhance bronze's quality and performance. For example, aluminum and manganese can be added to make it corrosion-resistant.

Nickel

Nickel has great strength and resistance to heat, so nickel alloys are used in environments with extreme temperatures. Their use is found in chemical factories, aerospace, and marine environments.

The Lost Wax Casting Process

Rendering the Wax Pattern

The first step in the lost wax casting process is the formation of a three-dimensional rendering of what needs to be produced. Then, a die that is a negative relief to the part is created.

Producing the Wax Pattern

A wax pattern is formed from the semi-liquid wax poured into the die. Next, it is adjusted to make room for shrinkage. The process can be done several times depending on the parts that must be cast. The wax pattern is then connected, forming a sprue and later a cluster. These are known as a tree.

Shell Building and Dewaxing

The pattern is put in a ceramic slurry to build a shell. The shell creates a hard exterior coating surrounding the pattern. Next, the wax inside the ceramic shell must be removed by putting the ceramic shell in an oven.

Burnout and Casting

Burnout is a procedure carried out to remove residual moisture and wax. The casting process will involve pouring the molten metal into the ceramic mold.

After the casting, the cleaning and divesting procedures are followed by cutting the finished part, usually with a grinder. Finally, the part can be sandblasted before it undergoes surface treatments and is ready for use.

Applications of Lost Wax Casting

The industries lost wax casting are used in include:

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Oil and gas
• Chemical
• Food
• Medical

Advantages of Lost Wax Casting

• Affordable tooling
• Accurate tolerances
• Great range of sizes
• Low production cost

Choosing the Right Lost Wax Casting Manufacturer

To make sure you have the most productive outcome when purchasing Lost Wax Casting from a Lost Wax Casting Supplier, it is important to compare at least 4 or 5 Companies using our Lost Wax Casting directory. Each Lost Wax Casting Manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Lost Wax Casting company website using our patented website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Lost Wax Casting businesses with the same form.